Inclusive emoji update sees better representation of disability

Posted 1 week ago
by Nicole Pope

The Emoji v12.0 update features 230 new emojis, including a range of disability icons [Source: New York Magazine - Intelligencer]

An emoji update set for release this year will include icons representing a range of disabilities, introducing emojis for deaf people, blind people, people in wheelchairs, and those with prosthetic limbs.

The Emoji v12.0 list of 230 new emojis released by The Unicode Consortium includes a guide dog, service dog, ear with a hearing aid, deaf person, a woman and man in a motorised wheelchair, in a manual wheelchair, with a walking cane, as well as a walking cane, mechanical arm and mechanical leg.

The company is responsible for defining which emojis appear on all platforms including iPhones, Android devices and computers.

Mr Edwards says it’s important that inclusive emojis are developed to reflect the diversity of our society.

“Just like language in society, it is important that emojis are used in an inclusive way and not used inappropriately creating other unnecessary barriers and further isolating people with a disability.”

The update is a response to Apple’s request last year to expand the scope of people that can be represented including people with disability.

Co-Chief Executive Officer, People with Disability Australia Matthew Bowden is thrilled to see the inclusive emojis.

“We’re delighted to see some disability diversity being represented at last in this release of new emojis – this has been something that many members of the disability community have been calling for.

“Emojis are a great way to communicate for many people, and people with disability need to be included.”

The new emojis will appear on iOS, Android, Windows, applications like WhatsApp and web platforms Twitter and Facebook later this year.